Visionaire Alexander McQueen

Visionaire pays tribute to the iconoclastic genius of Alexander McQueen who left his definitive mark on the design world of the 90s and 2000s. But it’s more than just a tribute: this special issue is published following a planned project between the designer and Visionaire, which never came to fruition.

Mercedes 300SL Gullwing

The Mercedes Gullwing is one of the most sought-after vehicles on any auction block. In the 50s and 60s, it was a revolution; produced in very limited numbers, it was the fastest production vehicle available at the time and it was also the first to use direct fuel injection. Besides being at the pinnacle of technology, its trademark gullwing doors are what defined its legacy. This 2009 iteration of the classic 300SL retains the gullwing doors and also ups the ante with a 5.5L, 370hp AMG-sourced engine. The amazing curves of the aluminum and fiberglass body mimic the original lines of the car, and they are simply breathtaking. Side exit exhaust, removed bumpers, and AMG custom wheels are just some of the few new-school touches that make this old-school hotrod a modern classic.

Entertain Me New York

I find myself surrounded by the classic New York, A collection of moments, little pictures of what make up this small island and state we call home, an endorsement of multi life’s living as one. This morning as I enter the L train more commonly known to those who travel its straight line every day as the Love Train (I would say 5 times a day I fall in love in between it’s frozen interior) I seat and look around to see the amused faces at 11 am, the lucky one’s who can take the morning in leisure and enjoy the Ritual of the waking day, the glorious morning.

For those who ask, my mornings are quite structured. Wake at 7 am, the sunlight is my natural alarm shining gloriously through my wall of windows. I walk the 10 steps to my kitchen area, Have a moment with Piccadilly and Waterloo (The 2 new brother and sister kitty addition to the home, crazy and adorable) proceed to drink my glass of Orange Juice, no pulp and return to my desk, check my emails for any time urgent matters, converse with fellow co workers in Good old London before I take my personal 2 hours to work and compose on my little joy, music! The latest single Atheist Love is a tribute to no rules in Romance! 10 am towards the bathroom I march, my walls are Adorned and perfectly framed showcasing all my favorite things, No better way to start my Grooming Ritual but to be surrounded by one’s personal version of Heaven.

11 am on the train and the Entertainment begins. A young man journeys down the carriage, Screaming of his life, holding a box of chocolates in hands, Hmm chocolate, No must control myself! As Mr tempting chocolate seller man reaches the end of the carriage, the door opens to show 4 men holding guitars preparing to play, as the first string hits a note and the chorus of deep voices carry down the carriage we are joined by what can only be referred to as ‘that man is crazyyyyyy’! The man demand’s to sing as he staggers from left to right towards our on travel entertainment forcing the 4 men and their guitars out of fear to quickly begin their shuffle towards the other carriage taking there lives at risk as the Love train collects speed to connect from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Enter 5 young men, boom box in hand ready to jam. Swirl, jump, Flip, slap and chant, ‘that man is crazyyyyyy’ begins to request participation but quickly realizing even in his crazy state that these boys are here for business, let the performance begin and what a great performance worthy of the past Mr. Jackson.

We arrive to the hustle and bustle of Union Square, Strolling towards Crosby Street, passing the many faces and characters we here in New York City take for granted I stroll with an almost devilish smile as I observe 2 girls passing me fresh of Rhianna’s latest Mad Max inspired video, A collection of Dandy’s and gentleman perfectly Groomed, A older lady whom I am sure has a collection of men at her beck and call and of course the skater boys, The boys I always have a soft spot for from my days of car park youth shenanigans. It’s a full time job just walking the streets of this glorious city, Inspire to be and you can! I might buy an 'I love NY' shirt!!! Surely it is time for another Coffee…Amy where is my Coffee!!!! How hard is it to get coffee these days!!!!

Drawing from memory, Stephen Wiltshire

Stephen Wiltshire, a London-born artist who draws and paints detailed cityscapes. He has a particular talent for drawing lifelike, accurate representations of cities, sometimes after having only observed them briefly. He was awarded an MBE for services to the art world in 2006. He studied Fine Art at City & Guilds Art College. His work is popular all over the world, and is held in a number of important collections.

As a child Stephen was mute, and did not relate to other human beings. Aged three, he was diagnosed as autistic. He had no language and lived entirely in his own world.

At the age of five, Stephen was sent to Queensmill School in London, where it was noticed that the only pastime he enjoyed was drawing. It soon became apparent he communicated with the world through the language of drawing; first animals, then London buses, and finally buildings. These drawings show a masterful perspective, a whimsical line, and reveal a natural innate artistry.

Aged eight, Stephen started drawing cityscapes after the effects of an earthquake (all imaginary), as a result of being shown photographs of earthquakes in a book at school. He also became obsessed with illustrations of classic American cars at this time (his knowledge of them is encyclopaedic), and he drew most of the major London landmarks.

The teachers at Queensmill School encouraged him to speak by temporarily taking away his art supplies so that he would be forced to ask for them. Stephen responded by making sounds and eventually uttered his first word - "paper." He learned to speak fully at the age of nine.

In 1987, the BBC QED programme, 'The Foolish Wise Ones', featured Stephen's astounding talent. Stephen was introduced by Sir Hugh Casson (past president of the Royal Academy), who described him as "the best child artist in Britain". Stephen's work has since been the subject of numerous television programmes around the world. He has been featured in many books, and his own third book Floating Cities (1991) was number one in the Sunday Times Bestseller List.

Meanwhile, Stephen's artworks were being exhibited frequently in venues all over the world. In 2001 he appeared in another BBC documentary, 'Fragments of Genius', for which he was filmed flying over London aboard a helicopter, and subsequently completing a detailed and perfectly scaled aerial illustration of a four-square-mile area within three hours. His drawing included 12 historic landmarks and 200 other structures.

In October and November 2003, thousands flocked to the Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham, near London, England, to see the first major retrospective of Stephen's work. The exhibition covered the 20-year period, from 1983 to 2003, and comprised 150 examples of Stephen's drawings, paintings and prints.

In May 2005, following a short helicopter ride over Tokyo, he drew a stunningly detailed panoramic view of the city on a 10-meter-long canvas, from memory. Since then he has drawn Rome, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dubai, Jerusalemand London on giant canvasses. The last drawing in the series was of his spiritual home, New York. He completed his masterpiece at Pratt Institute, the world-famous college of art and design, in New York in October 2009.

In January 2006, it was announced that Stephen was being named by Queen Elizabeth II as a Member of the Order of British Empire, in recognition of his services to the Art world. Later that year he opened his permanent gallery in London. Work from Stephen’s entire career is permanently on display, alongside new originals and prints available for sale at the Stephen Wiltshire Gallery in the Royal Opera Arcade, Pall Mall, London.

Collectible Luxury

Bottega Veneta's "Antique" Intrecciato Argento is a functional collection. The Antique Ruler [$1,670], crafted from intrecciato antique silver, comes with inches and centimeters on either side. The matching intrecciato antique silver paper knife [$1,070] helps you open letter with ease. You can complete the set with additional pieces like this business card holder [$790], magnifying glass [$820], or bookmark [$180].